El VIH y los Derechos Humanos

4.2.1 Continuous Monitoring

The agency monitors organizational performance utilizing a proactive internal evaluation program designed with the following objectives:

A. Assess conformity with internal and interagency requirements;

B. Measure the effectiveness of safety risk controls;

C. Monitor products and services received from vendors and contractors;

D. Assess agency system and process performance; and E. Identify hazards and deficiencies.

4.2.2 Internal Evaluation Program: Inspectors, Standardization Officers, Auditors

Aviation Safety has responsibility for Safety Assurance. Agency (IEP) personnel include members of the NASC, Fixed Wing and Helicopter Inspector Pilots, and Aviation Safety Inspectors, Airworthiness and Avionics. All inspectors should have training and/or experience in recognized quality management auditing, systems analysis, and risk assessment, as well as technical inspection principles and techniques.

Experience, training, and personality are critical qualities in an audit role. Inspector training is accomplished in a formal course setting, on the job training, with another experienced inspector, or using appropriate distance resources (websites, books, etc.). To formalize internal evaluation inspector selection procedures and documentation, the following processes are recognized in for the aviation management program:

A. The Assistant Director, Doctrine, Communications and Risk Management in coordination with the Assistant Director Aviation Management is responsible for selecting and assigning the internal personnel responsible for each specific evaluation;

B. Management will ensure each inspector has the requisite training and experience

to properly conduct the evaluation, to the maximum extent possible;

C. The inspector assigned shallbe documented on the evaluation checklist;

D. Inspectors will not be assigned to evaluate their own work product or area of

E. Subject matter experts may assist assigned inspectors in the evaluation. This assistance does not relieve the inspector from personally conducting the

evaluation. The inspector has the responsibility to identify and document findings;

F. The Inspectors should maintain a twelve month evaluation schedule that is

available to all managers.

4.2.3 Internal Evaluations

The internal evaluation program (IEP) is a continuous evaluation process that examines the effectiveness of processes, programs, and procedures integral to each functional area of the aviation program. Checklists will be used as a guide for these evaluation processes to examine the critical functions of aviation programs.

A. Aviation Management Reviews

National- Conduct Aviation Management Reviews (AMR) in accordance with FSM 5719, and/or included as a part of the fire management review (FSM 5193). In addition, in each Deputy Chief's Review, activity review, or other reviews involving aviation, provide special emphasis to the use of Forest Service owned or other Government aircraft used for

administration purposes (FSM 1410).

Region/Area/Station/Forest- Conduct aviation program activities reviews in accordance with regional/local aviation management plans.

B. Site Visits Conduct site visits normally as functional assistance trips (FSM 5719).

National- Conduct and monitor at least one site visit every three years in each Region, according to the criteria for an activity review in FSM 1416 and FSM 5700.

Region/Area/Station/Forest- Conducted at the discretion of Aviation managers and at any organizational level in accordance with local aviation plans, and FSM 5700. For example, Aviation Safety and

Technical Assistance Team (ASTAT), aviation base operational reviews, and cooperator aviation program reviews address this purpose.

C. Aviation Program Evaluation Program evaluation should be

conducted as part of to the planning process for aviation operations and periodically reviewed to address changes in process or policy. Program reviews meet the requirement for SMS Safety Assurance.

If serious violations of Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) are uncovered during these internal evaluations, then the Director, FAM will determine if notification to FAA officials for self-disclosure is required.

Formalized internal evaluation procedures and responsibilities are established by policy in FSM 5719, and pursuant to specific agency-wide policies

established for management reviews in FSM 1410.

Any discovered findings, or discrepancies that affect aviation safety shall be thoroughly documented by the inspection team. All corrective actions should be included in the finding documentation.

Copies of standard evaluation checklists are maintained by the BC-ASMS in the NASC safety library.

4.2.4 Aviation Safety and Technical Assistance Teams (ASTAT)

The Forest Service provides representation on ASTAT to support aviation resources and personnel operating in the field during periods of increased aviation operations. The team’s purposes are to assist and review helicopter and/or fixed-wing operations on ongoing wildland fires and to provide safety assurance through communication from the field to Fire and Aviation leadership. An ASTAT should be requested through the

agency chain of command and operates under a delegation from the appropriate state/regional aviation safety manager or multi-agency coordinating group. Team composition should be interagency whenever possible. Formal written reports will be provided to the appropriate safety manager if requested. Reports should include:

• Purpose and Objectives

• Listing and Method of Personnel Contacted

• Findings, Commendations, and Recommendations

• Follow up Actions An ASTAT should consist of:

• Aviation Safety Manager

• Operations Specialist (helicopter and fixed-wing) • Pilot Inspector

• Maintenance Inspector (optional) • Avionics Inspector (optional)

When an ASTAT has been established and given an assignment the following protocols should be used:

1. Prior to visiting any fixed-wing and/or helibase, the team must make positive contact with the receiving Forest, District Office, Supervisor, Line Manager, or Incident Commander to establish communication and schedule an in-briefing.

2. When traveling throughout the area visiting incidents, it is the team’s responsibility to report activities, relate issues, provide feedback, and generally coordinate with the individual the ASTAT has been directed to report to.

3. Before leaving an Incident, Forest, or District, the team must provide an out briefing to the Air Ops and Air Support, Operations, and the local Line Manager as appropriate.

4.2.5 External Audits

External audits will be conducted periodically for a variety of reasons. External auditors offer a perspective that is unique and apart from that of Forest Service internal

evaluations. Every finding resulting from these external audits will follow the procedures listed for internal evaluation findings and corrective action in their entirety. These results will be combined with internal evaluation results in establishing trends and evaluating the organization.